Principal's Report 

In our Classrooms:

You Show Us Mornings

Thank you to parents and carers who were able to make it to our first round of You Show Us mornings last week. It was fantastic to see students from all year levels discussing their learning with parents and carers in such depth. Our teachers managed these mornings extremely well, maintaining a smooth start to the day with the added visitors in their classrooms. Another set of You Show Us mornings is scheduled for Week 7, on Monday and Tuesday. Afterward, we'll evaluate this trial to decide its future next year. Should you have any feedback on these mornings, we welcome your thoughts.

Adjustments to Swimming Programs

Next term, in response to changes made by MSAC, we will modify our swimming programs, impacting some year levels. We are pleased to announce that in 2024, our Year 3&4 students will participate in an open-water experience with the Port Melbourne Lifesaving Club. This new initiative mirrors the one our senior students enjoy and emphasises open water safety, making the most of our proximity to the beach. Year 3s will have two half-day sessions, while Year 4s will engage in a full-day experience.

For our senior students, the duration will be extended to two days, aligning with the Year 4 program. Detailed specifics about these changes will be shared with families of the affected students next year. The F-2 swimming courses will remain consistent with previous years.

Classroom Locations for 2024

As 2024 planning progresses, we are evaluating year level classroom locations within the school. This review seeks to ensure that each year level is placed in an environment suited to the developmental phase and needs of the students. Possible changes might arise, especially concerning the suitability of C Block for our Years 5 and 6. Once decisions are finalised, we'll communicate any changes. While we understand that changes to learning spaces may differ to families’ expectations based on 2023 arrangements, our priority will be to ensure the best environment for all students’ learning and wellbeing in 2024.

In Our Staffroom:

Teacher Recruitment and Allocation

We are pleased to announce that we have finalised our teacher recruitment for the upcoming year. Despite the challenges posed by widespread teacher shortages, we are fortunate to have retained an outstanding teaching workforce. A warm welcome back to Selene Frai and Alex Papadopoulos who will be rejoining our team next year.

With our team now in place, the next step is the allocation of students and teachers to classes. We aim to share information about your child(ren)'s class and teacher later this term.

In Our Community:

Halloween Celebrations

The recent Halloween celebrations were a highlight. It was wonderful to see the joy and excitement as students dressed up for the day. Many families were able to go straight from school to neighbourhood trick-or-treating, adding to the community spirit around our school.

Addressing Discriminatory Behaviours

Regrettably, there have been instances of discriminatory behaviours recently. Port Melbourne Primary School is unequivocal in its stance against any behaviour that discriminates based on personal traits including race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender. When such behaviours are identified, our teaching and leadership team address them contextually, considering the individual needs of the students involved. We will always begin with educating students about these matters, explaining clearly why such behaviours are inappropriate. We strive to foster understanding in our students, teaching them empathy, perspective, and emotional intelligence. Additionally, we provide explicit teaching on social, emotional, and behavioural regulation. When appropriate, and where other interventions are not effective, other disciplinary actions, such as in-school detentions or suspensions, might be applied. Every child has the right to an education free from discrimination or threat. We are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that Port Melbourne Primary School remains safe and inclusive for all students.

Thank you for all the ways you have been supporting your children and the school this term. We really appreciate it.